new bikes

[dicki]

i know i talk about this every couple of months but i'm really going to do it now :)

i've just had someone offer me good money for my little baby zxr 400 and now i'm in the market for a big bike... i have an idea what i want but i want advice from people who've been around a bit more than me :)

basically i want a bike capable of 10K miles + a year with reletivly low running costs. it needs to be big cos i'm 6foot tall with long legs and i'm looking at 800+cc and probably 2 to 3 years old

6000mile service intervals would be good, as would good pillion and luggage carrying... plus i'm not too old yet so i want it to get a move on when i twist the loud handle :D

bikes i've narrowed it down too are

R6 <- i know its small but theres loads out there and its got the 6K service interval

triumph sprint rs <- again 6k service interval and actually designed for crappy british weather

ZX9-R <- just cos it would be hilarious but this is probably my least favorite choice due to the everyday aspect...

then my favorites

VTR Firestorm <- 1000cc v-twin goodness not sure on the service intervals though

Aprillia falco <- as above really

any suggestions? i'm in the uk if that makes a difference

cheers
dicki

[WesM63]

Hey diki,
I don't know to much about any of the other bikes besides the R6 and ZX9.

A friend of mine has an R6, the bike is just completly fast and mean, one twist of the throttle in second and the front end comes up to 10 o clock. The only down side of the bike is it might be a bit small for you and the seat sux. Its a hard plastic.


Thats the only bike i really know about, choose wisely m8. ;)

[NorthernYankee]

My vote is for the ZX-9R great bike that has gobs of power but so comfortable that it can be ridden everyday of the week. And its big enough to carry you and whatever you want.

--NY

[4.6POWER]

The only bikes I'm pretty familiar with are those from Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki. The service intervals on all these manufacturers are pretty much the same, which is a max of 5000 miles between oil changes. If your over 6ft, and over 200lbs, I would say you should rule out any 600cc bike such as the R6. That being said, there are only so many that are 2-3 years old:

Suzuki GSXR 750
Kawi ZX-9 (there are two versions, 1 with 'R' and 1 without)
Honda CBR 929
Yami R-1

Basically, the suzuki has the most aggresive seating position... if you prefer that, then thats the one. The others are all pretty equal, the honda being the friendliest & easiest to take care of, the R1 being the fastest & oil burning of the bunch. The kawi is really in the middle. Bottom line, get what ya like the most!;)

[dicki]

well i'm really not looking at sports bikes... i'm heading more for the sports tourer end, i need to carry luggage and pillion... and i'm looking at a european trip next year...

how about a honda black bird?

dicki

[4.6POWER]

Hey Dicki, I love honda's... I think their the most reliable make out there. Sure, I forgot about the BB, certainly worth considering!! Also, worth mentioning- BMW makes some auesome bikes for what your describing, though they are more expensive than other makes... I think they have the best sport-tourings out there. good luk with ur search! ;)

[dicki]

oh yeah i'd love a bmw 1150 GS (the one with a beak and squinty eyes) but even second hand they are about 3k more than the others :(

[dicki]

well my poor little kawasaki has been sold :( got the money i was asking for it which is good :) but now i'm bikeless which is bad :(

i'm getting tempted by zx6-r's they are soooo cheap right now but the firestorm is still calling to me...

[dicki]

mmmmmmmmmmmm

v-twin-a-liscious

i just bought a 5 year old VTR Firestorm its got a couple of miles on it (22K) but it is mechanically sound as a pound, serviced on the dot everytime, new back tire and spotless paintwork, and it is seriously fast...

oh and it sounds absolutly shocking on over run (micron race cans fitted of course ;) )

look for me terrorising villages near you soon :)

dicki

[Drake]

Congrats on the new bike :)